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{{Wonderpotionsold}}
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The '''Sopophorous bean''' is an ingredient for the [[Draught of Living Death]]. It is described as "shrivelled". According to the [[Severus Snape|Half-Blood Prince]], it should be crushed with the side of a silver knife, which exudes much more juice, rather than cutting it (which is more difficult to do). This helped Harry Potter win the [[Felix Felicis]] [[potion]].
  
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{{Plant infobox
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|image=[[File:Sopophorous bean.jpg|250px]]
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|name=Sopophorous bean
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|alias=
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|native=
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|environment=
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|related=[[Wikipedia:Bean|Bean]] (possibly)
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|sentience=Non-sentient
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|root=
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|stem=
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|leaves=
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|flowers=
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|fruits=
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|food=
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|distinction=
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|usage=Potion ingredient
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|affiliation=
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|status=
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}}
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{{Quote|The sopophorous bean was proving very difficult to cut up.|Description|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
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The '''Sopophorous bean''' is the fruit of the [[Sopophorous plant]]; it is a shrivelled pearly-white bean resembling overgrown [[mistletoe berries]].<ref name="BSsleepingpotion">''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]'' - see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk-PJsIbGX8&index=18&list=PLu-YMfPspAuGcYXaC2J1A2gb-0Zp34GI3 this video]</ref> It has many magical properties and it is used as an ingredient in [[Potions|potion-making]].
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==Uses==
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[[File:2_026.jpg|thumb|left|[[Harry Potter]] crushing the sopophorous bean]]
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The Sopophorous bean contains a thick silver juice that will remove the drinker's memory if drunk neat.<ref name="BSsleepingpotion"/> If used in potion-making, it does not seem to retain this power.
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The Sopophorous bean is used as an ingredient for the [[Draught of Living Death]].<ref name="HBP9">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 9 (''The Half-Blood Prince'')</ref> The potion's current instructions, as featured in ''[[Advanced Potion-Making]]'' by [[Libatius Borage]], say to cut the bean in order to release the juice within. However, this can prove very difficult,<ref name="HBP9"/> and the bean may bounce when punctured with the blade of a knife.<ref name="HBPfilm">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)]]'' - Chapter 8</ref>
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However, crushing the bean with the flat side of a silver knife is a more simple and effective method of obtaining the juice, as suggested by the [[Severus Snape|Half-Blood Prince]], alias Severus Snape.<ref name="HBP9"/>
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==Etymology==
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The prefix "Sopo-" most likely comes from the Latin ''sopor'' meaning "deep sleep". The suffix "-phorous" is more elusive, though it could quite possibly have the same etymological roots as the "-phorus" in "phosphorus" (a chemical element) - in this case "phos-" and "-phorus" come from the Greek ''φως'' (''fo̱s'' in the Latin script, meaning light) and ''φέρω'' (féro̱ in the Latin script, meaning bringer or carrier) respectively. Hence, "Sopophorus" would read as "bringer of deep sleep", which is appropriate given its use as an ingredient in the [[Draught of Living Death]].
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Also, it is a possible allusion to the plant historically used by the Native American shamans of the ancient Southwest, the mescal bean (Sophora Secundiflora). These beans also have a very hard shell and were split open and made into various concoctions that were then imbibed by the user in spiritual ceremonies. The sophora beans were described to put the user into a coma-like trance where the other elements of the magic ceremony could be carried out.
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==Behind the scenes==
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*While in the [[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'', this bean is depicted as very dark in colour, ''[[Wonderbook: Book of Potions]]'' describes it as "''pearly-white''".
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' {{1st}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)]]''
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)]]''
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)]]''
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*''[[The Road to Hogwarts Sweepstakes]]''
   
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==Notes and references==
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{{plant-stub}}
  
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{{Reflist}}
 
[[Category:Plants]]
  
[[Category:Plants]]
 
[[Category:Potion ingredients]]
  
[[Category:Potion ingredients]]
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[[Category:Sleep]]

Revision as of 23:06, 5 July 2014

"The sopophorous bean was proving very difficult to cut up."
— Description[src]

The Sopophorous bean is the fruit of the Sopophorous plant; it is a shrivelled pearly-white bean resembling overgrown mistletoe berries.[1] It has many magical properties and it is used as an ingredient in potion-making.

Uses

File:2 026.jpg

Harry Potter crushing the sopophorous bean

The Sopophorous bean contains a thick silver juice that will remove the drinker's memory if drunk neat.[1] If used in potion-making, it does not seem to retain this power.

The Sopophorous bean is used as an ingredient for the Draught of Living Death.[2] The potion's current instructions, as featured in Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage, say to cut the bean in order to release the juice within. However, this can prove very difficult,[2] and the bean may bounce when punctured with the blade of a knife.[3]

However, crushing the bean with the flat side of a silver knife is a more simple and effective method of obtaining the juice, as suggested by the Half-Blood Prince, alias Severus Snape.[2]

Etymology

The prefix "Sopo-" most likely comes from the Latin sopor meaning "deep sleep". The suffix "-phorous" is more elusive, though it could quite possibly have the same etymological roots as the "-phorus" in "phosphorus" (a chemical element) - in this case "phos-" and "-phorus" come from the Greek φως (fo̱s in the Latin script, meaning light) and φέρω (féro̱ in the Latin script, meaning bringer or carrier) respectively. Hence, "Sopophorus" would read as "bringer of deep sleep", which is appropriate given its use as an ingredient in the Draught of Living Death.

Also, it is a possible allusion to the plant historically used by the Native American shamans of the ancient Southwest, the mescal bean (Sophora Secundiflora). These beans also have a very hard shell and were split open and made into various concoctions that were then imbibed by the user in spiritual ceremonies. The sophora beans were described to put the user into a coma-like trance where the other elements of the magic ceremony could be carried out.

Behind the scenes

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wonderbook: Book of Spells - see this video
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 9 (The Half-Blood Prince)
  3. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) - Chapter 8
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